back icon

News

Plenty of positives to positives to take from New Zealand series: Mominul

article_imageNEWS
Last updated on 11 Jan 2022 | 02:07 PM
Follow Us
Plenty of positives to positives to take from New Zealand series: Mominul

The Bangladesh skipper believes his side definitely has the potential to win a series overseas

Bangladesh were thumped by an innings and 117 runs in the second Test at Christchurch, but skipper Mominul Haque believes that there are plenty of positives for his side to take from the series as the Tigers approach a gruelling year that will see them tour South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Bangladesh were written off even before a single ball in the New Zealand series had been bowled, but they produced one of the biggest upsets in Test history at Bay Oval by shocking the hosts, registering a thumping 8-wicket win on the back of a special team performance that saw nearly every individual make a significant contribution.

Mominul believes that, going forward, the victory in Mount Maunganui will do a world of good to Bangladesh’s belief in Tests away from home.

"I got the captaincy at a very tough moment. I always dreamed of winning against big teams. But that belief has to be visible. I think winning the first Test match was important for us to believe on our capability of winning overseas,'' Mominul told reporters at the end of the series.

''We will one day win a Test series abroad. So getting that belief, for myself, the team and even for you (media) was a significant step. 'There are many positives (from this series) and I always stress on a combined team effort, which I always believe brings us wins.

''A lot of challenges await us as a team this year. Everyone, including the opponents, assumed that we couldn't do well abroad. This series will create more of an awareness about us.

''We have Test series against South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies (in the next six months). It won't be easy for us. We have to accept the challenges, and continue well.”

A strong bowling performance in the first innings set up the win at Bay Oval, but in Christchurch, despite winning the toss on a green top, the Tigers’ bowlers disappointed, conceding a staggering 521 runs in just under 130 overs. The mammoth first innings total emboldened the New Zealand bowlers, who bowled Bangladesh out under 300 twice (126 and 278) to register an innings win.

Mominul admitted that his side lost the plot with the ball, but also took responsibility for not delivering with the bat.

"We couldn't bowl up to the mark in this Test. We batted poorly in the first innings. Only Yasir Ali Rabbi made a fifty and Sohan made a forty. 'I should have stepped up as the senior player and captain.”

The sole shining light in the match was the batting of Liton Das, who struck a sizzling century in the second innings to extend his good run of form. Liton is now averaging over 50 in Tests since 2020.

Mominul was full of praise for the flamboyant right-hander, whose batting has hit new heights in the past 18 months.

"He [Liton] is technically very sound. He gets a lot of time like world-class players. He always ensures he scores off the bad balls. He waits for a long time for the bad balls, and then took the toll. He has scored two centuries in consecutive series. Everyone, including myself, was really enjoying his batting.”

Related Article

Loader